"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2

Friday, September 2, 2011

Another Summer Has Come and Gone...

Yes, the end of summer is near. A new season is around the bend. I love this time of year—harvest time. Here in Indiana, summer is struggling to hang on. After a few weeks of mild temperatures, the thermometer has shot up into the 90’s again. We’re all anxious to start the holiday weekend. With the hot weather, a trip to the beach on Lake Michigan - at the Indiana Dunes State Park - will be on the agenda.

The kids are all coming in on Saturday. There will be plenty of juicy debates while trading wood for sheep, or brick for ore, during a marathon around the game board of Settlers of Catan. We’ll BBQ on Sunday. Monday is still up for grabs.

What’s on your holiday agenda? Do you spend a quiet end of the summer? Or send it out with a bang? Do you spend it at the lake, the shore, the mountains, camping, on the back deck, or traveling to visit friends or relatives? Will you be doing some reading? Or writing? Or both?

I would love to hear your plans for the long weekend.

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

In camp at sunset - Photo by Loree Huebner - Kentucky

The History Corner with Eric Huebner

By September 1861, the Civil War had reached unprecedented and continental proportions. Fighting has taken place from Virginia to Missouri and New Mexico. Union forces had made halting progress along the border, but defiant Rebel armies stood ready to contest every front.

Perhaps most important to the final resolution was progress made toward implementation of an effective blockade of Southern ports. President Lincoln declared a blockade of the 3,500 mile coast on April 19, 1861. The blockade was part of the so-called Anaconda plan conceived by General Scott to squeeze the Confederacy into submission. At the beginning the navy was pitifully inadequate for the task with only 90 vessels, but the fleet was rapidly expanded.

An important engagement took place at Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks when Forts Hatteras and Clark fell to the Union Navy 8/28/1861. The Union Navy would extend its power all the way along the coast from Virginia to Mexico with important captures at Port Royal and Ship Island connecting with antebellum forts in Virginia and Florida. Since the South had only limited industry, cutting off overseas trade would eventually cripple the Southern economy and war production.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day – Eric

Tenting Tonight - Photo by Loree Huebner - Kentucky

Lyrics from the original sheet music: Written during the Civil War by Walter Kittredge

We start it today by moving our daughter into university. Then tomorrow we pick up our other two daughters from camp and move the rest of Alisha's stuff in for her. This year I guess it's a moving long weekend, which is cool with me.

Though I'm working a lot these days, we are going to get to take two days to go to Carlsbad Caverns. I love it, though it's very eerie. To me, the caverns are even more awe-inspiring than the Grand Canyon!

I am writing historical fiction as well, in fact, part of my book is on the Indiana State Beach! The McCoys are traveling in 1832 from Erie, Pennsylvania to Bloom Township in Illinois. They are taking the famous Michigan Road and stop by the Bailley's home. Have you ever been to the Bailley homestead at Indiana State Beach? Maybe I'll talk my husband into going there on Monday. It's fun to meet people with the same goals and experiences!

I hope you enjoy your weekend, Loree. Our daughter has a job in her college town and stays there during the summer, but she's coming home for a visit this weekend. I'm looking forward to spending time with her.

Thanks so much for sharing that song! It was lovely :) I went to middle and high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and we always went to the Johnny Appleseed Festival. I still love the thought of it. I miss my Midwest Autumns :)

Heather: Pool and grill - two of my favorite things to do. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Jess: The midwest hasn't changed. I've been to the Johnny Appleseed Fest. I have on brother who still lives in Fort Wayne. Spent alot of time there when I was younger. I remember the 4 of July festivities well - the soap box derby, the bed races downtown, the zoo, the fireworks...Enjoy your weekend!

I actually did a lot of revising this weekend as we visited my in-laws. This place (Oklahoma) is so peaceful and slow-moving. I could really get used to it! *sigh* Time to head home to the hustle and bustle of the metroplex!

Getting caught up on writing and enjoying time with family and friends. We went from temps in the high 90s yesterday to low 60s today, so we actually cleaned the chimney today, in anticipation of the cooler days to come.

I always look forward to reading the next installment of The History Corner. It's great that you and your husband have a shared love of history and spreading the knowledge to others!

We had a barbecue on Friday. Today we're headed to a friend's house for their cookout. Haven't been doing much writing this holiday weekend, but I have been catching up on my library books before I have to return 'em.

Since I posted this, the weather has change dramatically. Somewhere in the middle of the night, summer left. The chilly wind shifted out of the north, and today's high is like 61 degrees...burrr...it feels like fall.

Marji: Glad you got some revising in. A visit with the in laws is always a treat.

J.L. - Thanks, it's been a nice weekend with the family. Hope your son loves his new teacher.

Sandra - That chilly Canadian wind is blowing down Lake Michigan...it's only 60 degrees here today! It was 91 on Saturday. Glad you got in some writing and great visits with family and friends.

Kelly - Hope your weekend was great. Glad you liked the History Corner.

Brandi: Your BBQ with friends sounded great. We did that last night too. Eric will be thrilled that you look forward to the History Corner.

Marji, J.L., Sandra, Kelly, and Brandi, thanks for stopping in and taking the time to comment! Have a great first week of September.

We took a road trip to visit the beuatiful Arboreteum and River Museum in Dubuque Iowa. On Labor Day it was a gathering of friends for a barbeque picnic in our woods. For Eric: I remember learning that song in 8th grade choir. Here another song, by todays bland politically correct standards, not very "correct" but honest from the northern point of view...This is a poem that was published by an anonymous poet (identified only as “B.”) in San Francisco on June 20, 1862, when the Civil War was in its second year and it had become clear what a long, bloody struggle lay ahead. This poem was published by the San Francisco Bulletin (San Francisco, California) on June 20, 1862:The Very Last DitchWhen rude rebellion o’er the landRan up its flag on high,It swore to win, or foiled in that,In the last ditch to die.At Hilton’s Head, the chivalryTake to their heels and fly,The sea not being deep enoughFor a ditch in which to die.At Donelson, the traitor Floyd,The river being high,Ran out his boats and stole away,And lost his chance to die.Pillow, in digging ditches skilled,By all that’s great and highSwore while he’d strength to leap a ditch,In a ditch he would not die.And Tattnall in the MerrimacWould rather resign than die;For blood, says he, much thicker isThan water running nigh.At Pittsburgh Landing, Beauregard,His charger being dry,Swore he should drink from the Tennessee,Or a hotter draught, and die.The Tennessee he could not reach,The Yankees being nigh,But the flames of Styx he’s welcome toWith the torrent rolling high.The turbid Mississippi’s streamFlowing New Orleans by,Once filled the ditch when Jackson fought,But now that ditch is dry.O foolish boast and impotent!Who are most quick to flyAnd seize the sword, are not the menIn the last ditch to die.But they who weighing well their causeIts truth and right descry,In the first ditch will quell the foe,Or in the last ditch die.--B.San Francisco, June 20,1862

State fairs are fun. I've been to a few over the years. This year we had that terrible tragedy with the big storm blowing down the main stage. I remember about 20 years ago, going up to the Wisconsin State fair after a Sox vs Brewers game. I ate alot of awesome cheese, and saw the Monkees perform on their main stage. Have a great time at your state fair!

Yes, here it is closing in on fall...except the weather doesn't know it yet. Hotter now than all summer, up to 96 degrees today, ugh! Makes us glad for fall, I guess. :) I plan some reading and writing both!

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About The Author

Loree has had a love affair with American history all of her life. She writes historical fiction and inspirational historical romance. She shares this passion for history and writing along with her husband, Eric. Together, they have made the Civil War period a personal study and hobby. Loree and Eric are both active Union Civil War re-enactors with the 9th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Company E. Loree is an active member of the ACFW. She is represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.

Published

Loree and Eric Huebner are published in the Indiana Historical Society's Spring 2011 issue/June 2011 - of the IHS's quarterly magazine, Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. The ten page Civil War article is titled, Among The Bravest Of The Brave, The Battle History Of The 9th Indiana.